Romero's Zombie-apocalypse nowadays counts as one of the most important horrormovies of cinematic history. You can ask the viewers or the critivs everyone just praises the movie, even 30 years after its first release in cinemas. When it was released in 1978, it took the screenland by storm. It made 55 million $ (because of inflation that would nowadays be 179 million $) worldwide, far more money than they had for production costs [500.000 $]. When it was released on VHS for the first time in the USA in 1983, 750.000 copies ere sold. International releases quickly followed. The movie was a source of inspiration for a whole generation of moviemakers, and it was plagiarized several times. The modern genre of zombie movies was not only constituated by "Dawn of the Dead" - still to this day, it is the defining movie for that genre!

Dario Argento and George A. Romero clinched a deal to finance the movie which said that Argento was allowed to cut his own version of the movie for every non-English-speaking country (except for South and Middle America) while Romero's version was particularly released in the English-speaking countries (USA, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand). The two versions differ substantially from each other. The following report will shine a light on these differences.

This is a comparison between the Argento-Cut (also known as "Euro-Cut") and the Romero-Cut (also known as "US Theatrical Cut"). Both versions originate from the US Ultimate Edition released by Anchor Bay.

Romero-Cut(US Theatrical Cut)

Length: 126 minutesRating: Unrated

Argento-Cut(Euro-Cut)

Length: 119 minutesRating: Unrated

By comparison, the Romero-Cut is missing out on 1545.2 seconds.

0:00:00The logos of the opening credits are shown at a different spot and in a different font. However this does not result in any difference in time.

No difference in time.

0:00:45An employee of the production company talks to Fran - in the Romero-Cut we only hear her voice from off-screen.

4.5 sec.

0:01:59When Fran hands the new list of the rescue center over to the production manager she says that this list might already be outdated. In Argento's version the production manager answers that he does everything in his power.

3 sec.

0:03:03Just before the production manager comes rushing in the studio, you in the Argento-Cut see a new rescue center being added to the list. The scientist on TV enjoins the audience to act as quickly as possible since the zombies "breed" like rabbits.

18 sec.

0:03:05Just before the production manager enters the room you see Fran coming back to the studio.

1.5 sec.

0:03:08When the production manager talks to Fran over the loudspeakers you shortly see her entering the shot.

2 sec.

0:03:28You see a short close-up shot of the woman in the studio. She stands up and leaves the studio with 2 other persons.

4 sec.

0:04:02In the Argento-Cut, the scientist exposes his theses a little longer.

5 sec.

0:04:28A crewmember throws paper shavings at the scientist. Subsequently, there's a little riot inside the studio. This scene is a little longer in the Argento-Cut.

3 sec.

0:04:42In the Argento-Cut the scientist also recommends the audience to abandon any moralities because they are obsolete - the people in the studio are highly indigant.

10 sec.

0:05:01Again, the scientist talks a little longer. In the Romero Cut you actually do see this scene, however it is the last scene of the opening sequence in the TV studio - and it is 2 seconds shorter.

2 sec.

0:05:01Close-up shots of the police headlights - as a transitio ot the next scene - were cut out of the Romero-Cut.

6 sec.

0:05:56A short shot of the task force was cut out.

2 sec.

0:06:04In Argento's version the national guard storms in as well.

1 sec.

0:06:04Roger takes the cigarrete out of his mouth before he talks. From off-screen you meanwhile hear the police chief's voice - Peter makes a short comment about it.

10 sec.

0:07:41In Argento's version the gas grenade rolls down the stairs a little longer.

10 sec.

0:07:43Additional shots of the assailing troops. The police chief issues the order to use the tear gas over the radio.

3 sec.

0:07:46In the Argento-Cut there's a block of of new scenes of the troops storming the house.

15 sec.

0:07:49A shot of the gas grenade.

1 sec.

0:07:56The scene of the woman being interrogated begins a little earlier.

0.5 sec.

0:07:57Alternative shot of the first wrangling.

2 sec.

0:08:00In the Argento-Cut the man looks around again before he tries to run away.

0.5 sec.

0:08:16In Argento's version the door closes.

0.5 sec.

0:09:26There's a short missing reaction of the young police officer.

1 sec.

0:09:57When the young police officer tilts backwards this is shown a little longer in the Argento-Cut.

0.5 sec.

0:09:57The battle with the zombies begins a little earlier.

0.5 sec.

0:10:20In the Argento-Cut one of the police officers is able to take a out while the young police officer stylishly aims at the zombie.

6 sec.

0:10:58There's a missing scene where Roger talks insistently to the police officer.

11 sec.

0:12:07Just before Roger lights a cigarette he asks Peter if he also wants to bail.

0:13:10The priest tells Roger and Peter that the people here won't cease their dead people.

6 sec.

0:14:04When the SWAT team breaks the door open they look through the room which seems to be empty before the zombies break through.

5.5 sec.

0:14:17When the zombies break through the door they are shown a little longer.

0.5 sec.

0:14:21In Argento's version the zombies stumble up the stairs a little longer.

3 sec.

0:14:25Ditto.

2 sec.

0:14:25Extended scene of the SWAT team upside the stairs.

1.5 sec.

0:15:21While Peter shoots the zombies they just go on eating flesh.

1 sec.

0:15:45In Argento's version Roger goes on shooting.

9.5 sec.

0:16:26Stephen and Fran land at the meeting point with the helicopter. Fran sees a dead person lying on the landing field and recoils. Stephen decides to examine the terminal all by himself but he just runs across more corpses...

47.4 sec.

0:16:41Stephen's radio message is longer.

6 sec.

0:16:41Stephen throws the radio device away.

1.1 sec.

0:16:41Roger and Peter reach the landing field...

2.9 sec.

0:16:53...and get out.

2.8 sec.

0:16:53Stephen shortly looks towards them.

0.8 sec.

0:18:16Fran and Peter talk some more in the helicopter.

14 sec.

0:18:34Stephen rotates his head some more with fatigue...

7.5 sec.

0:18:58Stephen says something.

5.1 sec.

0:18:58The helicopter's approach is longer.

0.8 sec.

0:19:00Ditto.

1.1 sec.

0:19:15Roger and Peter look down on the open field.

1.1 sec.

0:19:28A few additional shots of the national guard.

1.1 sec.

0:19:41Ditto.

2 sec.

0:20:32The helicopter circles the burning car wreck.

1.5 sec.

0:20:36Wads of smoke rise.

3 sec.

0:21:28A frew additional frames...

0.6 sec.

0:21:28Peter shortly looks around.

0.6 sec.

0:21:53Stephen approaches the barn a little longer.

1.4 sec.

0:21:53Roger enters the house and turns to the side.

4 sec.

0:21:29Roger sits down.

6 sec.

0:24:29When Roger shoots the zombie kids, this is shown a little more detailed.

4 sec.

0:26:092 shots from inside the helicopter were added.

4.3 sec.

0:26:11The following sequence was extended.

1.6 sec.

0:27:36The helicopter flight over the mall is longer.

7.2 sec.

0:27:56Argento's version shows an additional shot of the zombies in the parking lot.

1.2 sec.

0:29:17Roger turns to the side.

1.6 sec.

0:29:27Peter reaches for his flashlight.

2.8 sec.

0:29:27Peter lights the storeroom and then goes to Roger.

3 sec.

0:29:27Roger says something to Peter.

1.2 sec.

0:29:34Stephen tries to open a window.

3.5 sec.

0:30:33Stephen and Fran laugh about Roger's comment...

3.6 sec.

0:30:33Peter opens the door to the hallway; Roger gives him a nod.

4.7 sec.

0:30:45Peter lights a cigarette.

2.5 sec.

0:35:35The following shot is a little longer.

0.7 sec.

0:35:35BANG!

1.7 sec.

0:35:54The zombie falls back a little further.

1 sec.

0:35:54Roger guns down another zombie.

2.5 sec.

0:35:57Despite Fran's warnings, Peter runs in the mall. In Argento's version he shortly looks back.

4 sec.

0:36:52Roger's bullet hits the zombie's head. Subsequent to that, Roger and Peter run away while the zombies press their heads against the glass.

5.9 sec.

0:37:27Now follow short sequences of the guys going shopping.

7.9 sec.

0:38:06Stephen enters the janitorial room.

3.3 sec.

0:38:06Ditto.

5.7 sec.

0:38:06A few missing frames in Romero's version.

0.2 sec.

0:38:48In Argento's version, a few more zombies stumble through the mall.

0.6 sec.

0:39:35An additional shot of the zombies.

1.6 sec.

0:39:46The following sequence is a little longer.

0.9 sec.

0:39:46Stephen swoops for the site plan from the janitorial room.

5.5 sec.

0:42:32A missing long shot of the upper floor.

0.6 sec.

0:42:32Roger guns down a zombie.

2.4 sec.

0:43:11The zombies hear gunfire and turn around.

2.9 sec.

0:43:11Stephen turns around as well.

1.2 sec.

0:43:37Fran anxiously sits on the stairs.

2 sec.

0:48:24Roger, Peter and Stephen crawl through the ventilation shaft a little longer.

9.1 sec.

0:48:24An additional shot of the stairwell and Fran.

2.2 sec.

0:48:47The trio continues crawling - they are looking for a safe exit.

10.9 sec.

0:49:02In Argento's version, the zombie comes through the door a little earlier.

3 sec.

0:49:02The following shot is a little longer in Argento's version.

0.4 sec.

0:49:32A missing back view of Peter.

1.7 sec.

0:49:53Fran waves the flare about in front of the zombies.

1.3 sec.

0:50:09Fran turns to the zombie.

1.4 sec.

0:50:09Fran combats against the zombie. It hits her so that she drops the flare while trying to climb out of the window.

6.4 sec.

0:50:24The following sequence is longer.

1 sec.

0:50:24Again, the flare is in front of the zombie's face.

1 sec.

0:50:24The following shot is minimally longer.

0.2 sec.

0:50:27Roger, Peter and Stephen meet in the hallway.

1.7 sec.

0:50:27Fran tries to keep her distance from the zombie a little longer.

3.4 sec.

0:50:30The trio enters the hallway.

8.6 sec.

0:50:30She struggles.

1.5 sec.

0:52:31Surprisingly enough, Romero's version misses out on a longer dialogue.

87.1 sec.

0:52:31The following sequence is a little longer.

3 sec.

0:55:24Several shots of zombies were added.

3.5 sec.

0:55:33The zombies stumble up the escalator.

2.1 sec.

0:55:39More stumbling outside.

1.7 sec.

0:55:39The cut to the TV panel comes slightly earlier.

1.4 sec.

0:55:39Peter and Stephen are talking on the roof some longer. Interspersed are shots of our grey friends.

9.6 sec.

0:55:39Fran watches TV longer.

4.3 sec.

1:03:06After Roger has shot the zombie in the chest, the zombie stumbles back a bit and then slowly bends forward again.

4.5 sec.

1:03:13Peter drives to Roger.

3.2 sec.

1:04:55Peter drives to Roger.

3.2 sec.

1:04:55A longish dolly shot of the two trucks is missing.

12.3 sec.

1:05:29Chased by the helicopter, the trucks turn into the parking lot of the mall.

12.8 sec.

1:05:32The following shot is missing.

2.5 sec.

1:05:38Fran runs across the roof of the mall. Stephen watches her from the helicopter.

5.1 sec.

1:06:04The following shot is slightly longer.

0.5 sec.

1:06:04A zombie tears his own arm off. Roger's truck is encircled by zombies.

1:22:54An alternative shot of the following scene was used, which is slightly shorter.

- 1.3 sec.

1:23:38Fran rambles about the mall longer.

4 sec.

1:23:48So does Stephen.

3.9 sec.

1:23:54Peter is coming, too.

7.6 sec.

1:24:06And the shopping trip continues.

7.6 sec.

1:25:11Using the gambling machines.

1.8 sec.

1:25:15Prehistoric "Duck Hunt". Yeah!

0.8 sec.

1:25:16

Gaming til you drop.

4 sec.

1:25:21

The following shot starts earlier.

0.6 sec.

1:25:23

The following shots are missing.

1.7 sec.

1:27:01

The following shot starts earlier.

6.7 sec.

1:27:38

The following shot starts earlier.

8.2 sec.

1:30:54

The TV documentary continues.

8.3 sec.

1:32:48

The following shot is longer.

1.6 sec.

1:32:48

Peter is waiting tables, the ungrateful bunch guzzles.

4.8 sec.

1:32:48

The following shot starts earlier.

1.5 sec.

1:33:26

The following shot starts earlier.

3.2 sec.

1:33:42

Stephen wants to hand Fran an engagement ring.

13.2 sec.

1:33:42

Ditto.

2.4 sec.

1:36:39

A playing device is turned on, music sounds. Fran enjoys herself in the cosmetics department.

16.5 sec.

1:40:35

Mr. Savini combs his beard longer.

2.5 sec.

1:41:28

The rockers cheer a little longer.

1 sec.

1:41:28

Fran listens longer.

2.7 sec.

1:41:47

The following shot is longer.

0.8 sec.

1:42:15

A whole lotta rockers.

7.7 sec.

1:42:59

The following shot starts earlier.

7.7 sec.

1:43:16

The following shot starts much earlier.

14.6 sec.

1:43:35

Let's rock!

5.3 sec.

1:43:35

The following shot starts earlier.

0.3 sec.

1:43:56

Peter locks the doors.

4.6 sec.

1:43:56

The rockers do what rockers do: have a civilized conversation.

19 sec.

1:44:22

...and now the sledgehammer is gotten out.

13 sec.

1:44:22

The rockers quickly talk about what to do before storming the shopping mall.
Some zombies are shot in passing.

23.2 sec.

1:45:22

Stephen and Peter agree to let the rockers have their fun. Stephen does not want to give up the shopping mall without a fight – to Peter’s displeasure.

24 sec.

1:45:24

The rockers dash through the shopping mall.

6.6 sec.

1:45:35

Ditto.

3.4 sec.

1:45:35

The following shot starts earlier.

2.2 sec.

1:45:40

The following shot starts earlier.

2.2 sec.

1:45:43

The following shot is shown longer.

2.2 sec.

1:45:43

The following shot starts a few frames earlier.

0.1 sec.

1:45:44

During the following shot, part of the middle is curiously missing.

2.4 sec.

1:45:54

The following shot is shown longer.

1 sec.

1:45:54

The following shot starts earlier.

3.2 sec.

1:46:10

The following shot starts earlier.

7.2 sec.

1:46:10

The following shot starts earlier.

1 sec.

1:47:17Peter watches the mall rage and seems to be amused, Fran sits on the stairs anxiously. The bikers ransack the arms store and drive around in the mall on their bikes.

18.2 sec

1:47:17The following shot starts earlier.

1.4 sec

1:47:27The following shot ends later.

4 sec

1:47:29Extended shot of Peter's attempt to reach Stephen on the radio.

5.7 sec

1:47:29Extended shot of the bikers making it rock.

13.1 sec

1:47:31Argento gives the bikers the chance to a longer ransacking.

10.2 sec

1:47:35The money flies through the air.

3.4 sec

1:47:35The following shot starts earlier.

0.3 sec

1:47:56The following shot lasts longer.

3.2 sec

1:47:56Additional shootout between Stephen and the bikers.

1.7 sec

1:48:00Shot of a hemodynamometer.

1.7 sec

1:48:02A biker stops right next to it.

3.2 sec

1:48:27The following shot lasts longer.

1.6 sec

1:48:27The following shot lasts longer.

1.4 sec

1:48:27The following shot starts a couple of frames earlier.

0.1 sec

1:48:38Additional shot of the shooting bikers.

2.5 sec

1:48:43The following shot lasts longer.

2 sec

1:48:43Further scenes of the bikers.

4.7 sec

1:48:27The bikers just got started.

12.8 sec

1:49:43Further zombies get killed.

7.6 sec

1:49:56The following shot starts a couple of frames earlier.

0.2 sec

1:49:56The fallen biker leaves his bike and runs away.

4.1 sec

1:50:04The bikers fire off another shot at Peter.

3.2 sec

1:50:04Same here.

3.2 sec

1:50:15Still ransacking.

7.5 sec

1:50:18The following starts earlier.

1.8 sec

1:50:21The bikers ask for a sledgehammer.

1.9 sec

1:50:28Stephen just checks if the bikers are doing well.

12.3 sec

1:50:33The following shot lasts longer.

0.6 sec

1:50:33Stephen pushes the button once again - and the doors shut.

3.7 sec

1:52:18The following starts earlier.

6.3 sec

1:53:32The bikers retreat.

4 sec

1:55:10Ditto.

2.3 sec

1:55:10Lunch time.

3 sec

1:56:18The following starts earlier.

0.7 sec

1:57:50You should have a bite if you're hungry.

12 sec

2:05:11The final credits are entirely different in either of the versions. Argento uses traditional credits accompanied by the Goblin score, Romero uses images of the mall accompanied by popular elevator music. Romero's credits are 21.5 sec longer.